Shock-absorber.



P. NIELSEN.

SHOCK ABSORBER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8,1911.

Patented Aug. 8,1911.

a) Morne: 1

FREDERIK NIELSEN, 0F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. v

' SHOCK-ABSORBER.

Speecation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

'Application filed June 8, 1911. Serial No. 631,915.

To all whom 'i-t may concern:

Be 1t known that I. F REDERIK A\n:I.snN,

of Boston. in the county of Suffolk and State= of Massachusetts, have invented certain new 'and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorbers, of which the following is a. specification. The present invent-ion relates tov shock absorbers for vehicles and consists in several features of improvement upon the shock ab-A 'sorber illustrated and described in my copending application, Serial Number 587,203, filed October-15,1910.`

The cushioning medium in the present invention and that to which the aforesaid application relates is -a Huid, and it is contained in' thechamber of a casing in 'which cooperative ele-rnents are arranged to act upon the fiuid.` These coperat-ive elements di- 4vide the main chamber into two smaller chambers, and the cushioning fluid is conducted back and forth fromone of the smaller chambers to the other through suitablepassages. The fiow through at least onej of the passages is controlled by a valve which is weighted and which is provided with spring-tension means whereby the valve is normally held in open position. The valve is so weighted as to be operated automatically by jouncing of the vehicle, blt since the valve is normally held open it is obvious that the cushioning fluid must pass back and forth through the passage when the vehicle is traveling over comparatively smooth even ground.

It is found in practice that a shock absorber which is well adapted for one vehicle is not so well adapted for another vehicle. This is because of the difference in weight of the vehicles and the difference inthe resilience of the springs upon'which the vehicle body is mounted. The features of improvement hereinafter described are adapted to regulate the shock absorber so that it may be adapted to various vehicles which differ from each other in the particulars above noted.

Of the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a shock absorber with portions thereof broken away .to exposethe interior. Fig. 2 represents a sect-ion in the planes indicated in Fig. 1 by line 2-2. Fig. 3. represents, on a. larger scale, the weighted valve by which the cushioning fluid is cone trolled. Fig. 4- represents a cross section of the shock absorber in a plane ltransverse to the axis thereof. Fig. 5 represents, on a larger scale, a valve in the plane indicated in Fig. 4 by line 5 5. l Fig. 6 represents an elevation of valve mechanism which may be substituted for that shown in the preceding figures. AFig. 7 represents an edgey view of the valvemechanism of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 represents a portion of a. grease gunwhich .may be used to inject grease into the shock absorber.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts wherever they occur.

The chamber in which the cushioning fluid is contained is indicated at 1() and is formed by a cylindricl casing 11 having a cover 12. The cover is held in position by a ring 13 which `is rconnected with the casing by cooperative screw threads. The chamber 10 is divided into two smaller chambers. as shown by Fig. 4, by abutments 14 and 15, one of which is movable with relationto the other to act upon the cushioning Huid. In the present instance the abutment 14 is affixed to the casing by suitable screws, and the abutmentl is mounted so as to oscillate with relation to the casing about t-he axis thereof. In order to ydistinguish between the two abutments, that indicated at 15 will be inafter designated a piston.

The piston is formed upon a disk 16 which slides between the abutment 14 and the cover 12 and which is preferably fitted so as to prevent, as far as possible, all leakage. The piston is formed with a. hub 17 which projects through a central opening in the cover 12, as shown by Fig. 2. The cover is formed with a stutling box, indicated as a whole at 18. An operating arm 19 is affixed in any suitable manner to the outer end of the hub 17. The casing l1 is provided with an arm 20 which, in conjunction with the arm 19,

hereconstitutesl the means whereby the abut- A ments 14 and 15 are moved to act upon the cushioning fluid. A third arm, indicated at 21, is attached to the casing, but it has no function other than to counterbala-nce the weight of the arm 19 and to brace the casing so that the device may be operated more efficiently. The casing is provided with a cylindric 'boss 22 upon whichy the arm 21 is loosely mounted. A screw 23, threaded in the bo and provided with a suitable head overlapping the arm 21, serves to connect the arm with the casing and at the same time permit the casing to oscillate with relation to the arm, or the arm with relation to the casing.

rihe passages for conducting the cushioning Huid back and forth from one of the smaller .chambers to the other are ,indicated in Fig. 4 at 24 and 25.,` The passage 24 is preferably inthe form of a groove and is preferably quite deep, but the paage 25 is preferably tubular as shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 5. The, flow through the groove 24 is controlled by a valve 26 `lia-ving a groove 27 adapted to register with the groove 24. This valve is of the oscillatory type and is adapted to control the flow through the groove -24 regardless of the direction in which it is turned. This valve is provided with a stem 28 which extends through a suitable open! ing in the'casing 11.j A truste-conical portion 29 is fitted to e gage a. complement-ally formed seat 30 'in the wall of the casing, whereby leakage through the casing at this pointmay be prevented.

Ana-rm 31 aiiixedr to the outer end of the valve stem is provided with an adjustable weight 32. yThe weight normally tends to turn the valve in one direction, but the valve is subject to the tension of a spring 33 which tends toturn it in the opposite direction. The weight and spring are preferably adjusted so as to cause the valve to normally occupy the positiony shown by Fig. 4. In this position the groove 27 registers with the groove 24 so that the cushioning fluid may pass freely from one of the smaller chambers to the other. The spring 33, as shown, is helical and surrounds the valve stem between the casing and the arm 31. rlhe ends of the spring are bent so as to extend into suitablev pockets such as that indicated at 34 in Fig. 3. (See also Fig. 2). A disk 35 is loosely mounted upon the valve stem be- 40 tween the casingyand the arm 31. This disk is provided with a pocket, which is not illus trated but which is similar .to the pocket 34,

for the reception of one of the ends of the spring. By means of the disk the spring may be wound to the desired tension, and when connected to the arm 31 it will act to overcome the gravity of the weight 32. Any suitable means may be provided for connecting the disk with the arm 31. The de vice illustrated upon-'the'.drawings isa dat, piece 36 connected to the arm by a pivot pin 37. The 'periphery of the disk is provided with notches 38 adapted to receive one Vend of the piece 36, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2.

The locking piece 36 may be disengaged from the disk by turning it about its pivot 3.7, and the disk may be turned to cause any desired notch 38 to register with the locking piece. The opposite end of the locking piece 1s provided with ears 39 whichare adapted to embrace the arm 31and hold the locking piece in locking position. The locking piece may be flexed suiiiciently to disengage the ears from the arm when the locking piece is Although the principal function of the spring 33 is to counteract the weight 32, it serves the additional function of keeping the frusto-conical portion 29 securely seated against the seat 30. For this purpose the spring is. made so that it must be compressed longitudinally of its axis in order to place it between the disk 38 and the casing. The passage 25 inthe form shown by Fig. 4 is normally closed by a spring-actuated valve. The valve is adapted to be opened .when the pressure of the cushioning fluid is suiiciently increased. Arvalve fory this purpose-is illustrated by Fig. 5. In the form illustrated the valve is in the form of a ball, 'indicated at 40. VThe ball is normally held in position to obstruct the passage 25 by a spring 41 contained in' a pocket 42. f The pocket is closed and the spring is confined by a screw plug 43. When the pressure ofthe cushioning fluid is increased suiiciently, it forces the valve open against the tension of the spring 4l and it is immaterial whether the flow through the passage 25 is in one direction for the other.

When the shock absorber is mounted upon a vehicle, the arm 20 is connected `in any suitable Way with the body thereof, and the arms 19 and 21 are connected with the running frame. The invention is not limited to this specific manner of connecting the arms with the vehicle, since it is obvious that the arm 20 could be as well connected to the runy ning frame and the arms 19 and 2l connected to the body; but the arrangement first explained is preferred for the reason that the arm 2O is affixed to, if not a part of, the casing 11, and consequently the weighted valve 26 will partake of the jouncing movement of the vehicle body more readily when the arm 20 is connected directly to the body than when the manner of connecting the arms is reversed. So long as there is no violent movement of the vehicle body, the weighted valve 26 will remain in open position. Comparatively gentle movements of the vehicle body and running frame will cause relative movement of the piston 15, .with the result of forcing the cushioning fluid gently back and forth through the passage 24. The passage 25 under such conditions is closed. A sudden jounce of the vehicle will effect the closing of the valve 26 because of the inertia of theweight 32. Communication between the two smaller chambers is thus closed and will remain closed until the inertia of the weight 32 is overcome by the increased tension ofthe spring 33. -In the event of an excessively heavy jolt the valve 40 will be opened by the great pressure' upon the cushioning fluid. The weight 32 is adjustable with relation to the arm 31 and is provided with a setscrew 44 by which it may be held at the de- 5 moved to and from locking position.

sired position. rlhe adjustability of the 32 and spring 33 so that the action ofthevalve 26 will be comparatively rapid. On the other hand` if the shock absorber is applied to a vehicle having a heavy body whose up and down movements are compare atively slow. the weight 32 and spring 33 should be adjusted so as to retard the speed of the valve.

Under some conditions it may be desirable to provide two valves which will be operated ,by the weight 32 and spring 33. For example, Figs. 6 and T illustrate an abutment 14 having a groove 45 in addition vto the groove 24. The abutment is, also provided with a valve 46 in addition to the valve 26.

'The valve 4G is provided with a groove 4'( similar to the groove 2T, except that it is in the opposite end of the valve, because the groove 45 is formed in the opposite side of the abutment. The valves are connected with each other so that they will operate in unison when the weighted arm is oscillated. The preferred method of connecting the valves is to provide them with gears such as those indicated at 4T and 48. The abutment 14 is formed with recesses for the reception of the gears so that the outer faces of the gears may be Hush with the surface of the abutment. This form of connecting means is not only the simplest form for the purpose. but it provides for adjusting the valve 46 with relation to the valve 26. The

` desired adjustment is made .by movingythe valve 46 and/gear endwise to disengage the gear from its mate and by turning it to the desired position before assembling the other parts. No prescribed rule maybe given for" adjusting. the valve 46 with relation to the valve 26. If the shock absorber is attached to one vehicle it might be better to adjust the valves so that they would both be nor-v mally open, while if the 'shock absorber is s appliedto a different vehicle it'might give better results if the valve 46 were adjusted so that it ywould normally be closed while the valve 26 would stand in open position. Under such conditions the valve 46 would open when the valve 26 is closed, and there might be brief periods when both would be closed at the same time. This combination of valves may be employed with or without the normally closed valve 40. Under some conditions it might be desirable to include the valve 40 in addition to the valve 46.

The abutment 14,- as shown by Figs. 6 and T, is provided with a third passage, which is indicatedat 49. This passage` as shown is not provided' with anyvalve, but it is to be understood that the passage may be entirely omitted if desired lor may be provided with a normally closed valve similar to thevalve 40. t

The weight 32 is bored to provide a transverse opening 50 (see Fig. 1) which' is adapted to receive the arm 31. The weightmay be applied to the arm by passing theV arm through the opening 50 instead of through the central opening as shown on the drawings, in which case a greater proportion of the weight would be remote from the axis of oscillation. The setscrew is arranged to engage the arm 3l whether the weight be applied in the position shown or in the alternative position with the arm in the opening 50. For the purpose of protecting the weighted armJ the'casing is provided with a liange 51 adapted to receive a cover plate 52. The cover plate is adapted to be fastened in position by screws 53.

The hub 17 of the piston is formed for the attachment of a grease gun whereby the cushioning fluid may be injected into the casing. As shown by Fig. 2, the hub is bored so as to provide a socket 54. A plug 55 is threaded in the outer end of the hub to close the opening leading to the socket 54. A valve 56 is contained inthe socketand is normally Seatedagainst the outer end thereof by a spring 57. Communication is formed between the socket 54 and the interior of the casing by a port 58 in the hub. (See Fig. 4). In order to inject the cushioning tluid.'the plug 55 isremoved and a screwthreaded coupling member 59 is inserted in its place. The coupling member is adapted to form `connection between the hub 17 and `a grease gun, a portion of which is indicated at 60. When injecting thecushioning fluid it is necessary to provide open communication between the interior of the casing and the atmosphere so that the air in the casing may escape. For this reason the casing is provided with a. suitable vent and a screwthreaded plug 61 for closing the same.

I claim: v 1. A shock absorber comprising a casing having a closed chamber, coperative relatively movable elements therein for acting upon a cushioning fluid, said elements dividing said chamber Vinto two smaller chambers. two flow passages for conducting the cushioning fluid back and forth from one of said smaller chambers to the other, a springtensioned valve for normally closing one of Said passages. saidvalve being adapted to be forced open by pressure of said cushioning fluid in either direction. and a weighted valve for ,controlling the flow in `.the other passage, said weighted valve having spring-tension means for normally holdi mg 1t open.

2. A `shock absorber comprising a casing having a closed chamber, coperativerelatively movable elements therein for acting upon a cushioning fluid, said elements dividing said chamber into two smaller chambers, two flow passages for conducting the cushioning luidback and forth from one ofv said smaller chambers toy the other, a

weighted valve for controlling the flow in passages, said valve having means for normally'` holding one of `said spring tension it in a predetermined position, a valve"for controllingthe flow through the otherv of said passages, and means connecting said valves for causing them to operate in unison.

3. A shock absorber comprising a casing having a closed chamber, coperative relatively movable elements therein for acting upon a cushioning fluid, said elements dividing said chamber into two smaller chambers, two flow passages for conducting the cushioning fluid back and forth from one of said lsmaller chambers to the other', an oscillatory valve for each of said passages, gears connecting said vvalves whereby movement is transmitted from one to the other, a weighted member connected to one of said valves for turning it in onedirection, and spring-tension means counteracting said Weighted member. Y

4. A shock absorber comprising a casing having a closed chamber, coperative relatively) movable elements therein for vacting upon a cushioning fluid, said elements dividing said chamber into two smaller chamioning fluid backand forth ffrom one ot' said smaller chambers to the othertan os .'cillatory valve for controlling said passage, said valve having a stem projecting through the casing and having a transverse shoulder adapted to be seated against the casing to prevent leakage, aweighted member connected to said valve stem for turning the valve in one direction, and a spring acting on said valve lstem to counteract said weighted member and to hold said transverse shoulder seated against the casing.

5. A shock absorber comprising a casing having a closed chamber, coperativerelatively movable elements therein for acting uoon a. cushioning fluid, said elements dividing said chamber into two smaller chambers, a flow passage for conducting the cushioning luidback and vforth from one of vsaid smaller chambers tof the other, an oscillatory kvalve controlling said passage, a l

weighted member connected to said valve to turn it in one'direction, al coiled spring for counteracting; said weighted member, a winding member for var ing the tension of said/ spring, and a lockk for said winding member, said Winding member having a series of shoulders adapted to be engaged by said lock to maintain the desired tension.

In testimony whereof l have aflixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERIK NIELSEN.

Witnesses: l

W. P. AJBELL, P. W. Pnzzn'rrl. 

